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Created by Roger Ebert, a native to Champaign-Urbana, this popular film festival celebrates those "overlooked" films like the ones Ebert championed throughout his career. Held at the historic Virginia Theatre, the festival is five days, and features over a dozen films. Patrons can purchase festival passes or tickets for individual showings.

Discover the flourishing creative community of Champaign County during the Annual Boneyard Arts Festival, presented by 40 North | 88 West, Champaign County’s art council. More than a traditional arts walk, the Boneyard is a unique countywide celebration that takes place in over 100 venues and features the work of local sculptors, weavers, painters and photographers, as well as musicians, actors, dancers and other performers.

Whether juggling laser beams, a 16-pound bowling ball, or running electric carving knife, Mark Nizer, winner of the prestigious International Juggling Championships, is sure to astound! With his combination of original comedy, world class juggling, movement, music, and technology, it is no surprise that has been called, "Nothing less than brilliant," by Performance Magazine among other accolades.
This is sure to be a fun-filled show starting at 2 p.m. and doors opening at 1 p.m.

The International Carillon Festival, in beautiful Washington Park, features concerts by some of the world's finest carillonneurs. Bring lawn chairs and blankets. Don't miss the Festival fireworks Friday evening. LINCOLN AND THE MUSIC HE LOVED - To kick off this year's 54th International Carillon Festival, Park District carillonneur Robin Austin is joined by soprano Gailyn Draper and tenor Jerry Hicks in a special program of music that Lincoln loved. The program will be narrated by Christian McWhirter, author of the new book, Battle Hymns: The Power and Popularity of Music of the Civil War.

The annual Christie Clinic Illinois Marathon is one of the most popular spring running events in the Midwest… and, arguably, the country with its fast and flat course. With over 20,000 participants expected in the 5K, 10K, half marathon, marathon, relay and the youth run, the Illinois Marathon is a destination race for people from all over! From flat and fast courses to the Memorial Stadium 50-yard line finish to the rockin’ State Farm 27th Mile Celebrate Victory Bash, this has all the makings for the perfect spring getaway.

8 Miles of Ag-tiques begins on Highway 26 north of Orangeville. Each stop will feature different tractors including John Deere, Massey Harris, International Harvester, Oliver, Minneapolis-Moline, Allis Chalmers, and other old machinery from the Good Old Days. There will be food, craft shows, tractor drives on Saturday.

This event features antique two cylinder and new generation tractors plus old time machinery, food, conversation, and good fun. Come visit with the owners of these tractors and learn why they love these machines. Food, conversation, crafts, and a good time for all ages.

This museum is one of the most-visited presidential museums in the nation where visitors can experience the entire Lincoln story under one roof, from Abe's humble beginnings in an Indiana log cabin to his days as president in the White House. Be dazzled by two special effects theaters featuring historical ghosts and a Civil War battlefield, life-like vignettes that depict important moments in the president’s life, and artifacts that range from Lincoln’s stovepipe hat to an original copy of the Gettysburg Address.

April 19, 2015 is the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum's 10-year day of celebration. This day will be filled with inspiring moments and history-making experiences. Free Admission. An ambitious agenda for 2015 that includes an Evening With The Creators Series, Family Days, Civil War Ball and much much more is occurring at the museum this year. For a schedule of events, visit TenYearsLincoln.com.

At Aerie's, the individual Cottages include jaccuzzi tubs, kitchenettes and private decks. The Lodge, perfect for family gatherings includes a common room, full kitchen and a deck shared by four ensuite rooms. The Vacation Villas offer multiple arrangements and include private deck space with access to the swimming pool and clubhouse. Free Wi-fi.

Have you ever had a really rotten day? Alexander has.. Laugh and sing along with this hilarious musical adaptation of Judith Viorst's classic children's book, presented by Two Beans Productions, and discover along with Alexander that sometimes, every one of us has a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day.
The show is about an hour long and is great for children from kindergarten to third grade. It covers arts, literature-based, music, relationships and family which is a great learning experience for children. Doors will open at 9 a.m. and this show will start at 10 a.m.

Based on the book Haunted Alton by Troy Taylor, Alton Hauntings Tours offers an entertaining and spine-tingling trip into the unknown, taking visitors to the most authentic haunted places in Alton. Uncover the eerie folklore, ghostly tales and documented haunted spots on a three-hour walking tour of the city’s most haunted sites. Visitors will see sites that have become nationally known, like the old Alton penitentiary, First Unitarian Church, Enos Sanitarium and many others. The tours have been proven to be popular with ghost enthusiasts and history buffs alike, and nowhere else can you learn as much about the real, haunted history of Alton. Walking tours and bus tours are offered during two touring seasons – Spring & Summer and the Haunted Fall Season. Private tours are also available for groups of 20 or more. Reservations must be made in advance for all tours.

Winged monsters, explorers, riverboats and a gentle giant. The Alton Museum of History & Art shows the crossroads of American history in Alton. The museum is located in the historic Loomis Hall across from the Wadlow statue. Loomis Hall is the oldest building in the state of Illinois continuously utilized for education. One of the most popular rooms, the Wadlow Room, pays tribute to Alton's "Gentle Giant" and the World's Tallest Man. The Pioneer Room explores the history of Alton from the Lewis & Clark Expedition to the Civil War with exhibits on Elijah Lovejoy, the Lincoln-Douglas Debates and the "Alton Route" on the Underground Railroad. Hours: Wednesday - Saturday 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Sunday 1 - 4 p.m.

National Rumely Oil Pull Expo in 2015! Visit the 50-acre showground and experience the fall harvest early 1900’s style. Event features the historical value of collection and exhibition of gasoline and steam tractors, power driven farm machinery and other equipment through field demonstrations, displays of gas engines, garden tractors, farm tractors and equipment. Tractor pulls, craft demonstrations, speakers, children activities and music are featured daily. Food is available and parking is free.
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The #1 Art Show in the Nation (2008, 2010 & 2011) features 100 juried artists from all over the world. Come and shop for fabulous works in a perfectly beautiful setting of Belleville's Public Square. The show also features a high school exhibit from over 25 Southern Illinois schools, outstanding main stage performances, gourmet food and wine courts, artists' demonstrations, and an art activity area for children.

The Cache River Wetlands offers great opportunities for eagle watching, as well as spotting other birds. The Cache River Wetland Center provides resource and identification materials to help you spot eagles and other birds in the area and along the rivers. They will provide maps and directions to the viewing station for the nest just off Illinois Route 37 off Perks road and south of the visitor's center.

Just minutes away from the city but a world away, Ballard Nature Center is home to dozens of species of birds and wildlife. Natural prairie, wetlands, butterfly and hummingbird gardens, ponds and creeks round out the outdoor experience.

Bang Bang Pie Shop has been banging out delicious pies in Chicago for a short time, but the notoriety they have received is nothing short of delicious. Every day they offer a chocolate, cream and fruit pie option using only the freshest seasonal ingredients. But beware; if you’re looking for a place that just bangs out everything for everyone, you might want to look elsewhere because these guys make their pies like Grandma used to. From made-from-scratch warm biscuits to homemade pies, either way you can’t go wrong.

Indulge yourself at the Beall Mansion, a sumptuous Bed and Breakfast Inn located 12 blocks from the Mississippi River. Designed by Lucas Pfeiffenberger and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this elegant mansion features 18 ionic columns, eleven and a half foot ceilings, crystal chandeliers and marble and bronze statuary throughout. Let us pamper you with sumptuous feather beds, whirlpools for two, 24 hour "all you can eat" chocolate buffet, and optional gourmet breakfast in bed. Free Wi-fi. In room massage, spa, golf and corporate packages available.

Bennison’s Bakery has been a North Shore institution since 1938, earning a reputation as a high quality full line bakery with emphasis on European style pastries, cookies, and custom decorated cakes. Bennison’s Bakery is one of the few bakeries in the country to employ two Certified Master Bakers, and with experience comes unsurpassed quality.

A one-time event in honor of Bishop Hill’s Company D, IL 57th Infantry offering living history camp of infantry, cavalry, and battle re-enactments. A period fashion show and Ladies Tea is planned to set the stage. Other activities planned are an embalming exhibit and lecture, a hospital tent, and an evening dance in period costumes. Mr. and Mrs. Lincoln and General John A. Logan will be here, will you? For information call the Bishop Hill Heritage Association, 309-927-3899 or visit www.bishophillheritage.org